Nangpa-La Pass
The Nangpa-La Pass is the gap in the Himalayas through which the first traders from Tibet traveled to initiate contact with Nepal. Salt was traded for grain in the Namche Bazaar. This trading continues today and we will likely see yak caravans carrying goods across the glacier for trade in Nepal.

Tibetan Plateau
The Tibetan Plateau, often called the “roof of the world”, dates back to 13.5 million years and has reached a maximum average height of five kilometers. It is the highest plateau on earth and affects weather patterns around the world. In fact, the monsoons of India and Asia are caused by the plateau. The Tibetan Plateau, which includes the Himalayan Mountains, is the result of the collision between the two tectonic plates of India and Asia. The area can be described as a sort of top-hat shape, with India and Central Asia as the brim of the hat, and the flat top of the hat as the high ground of the Tibetan Plateau.

History of The Route
Cho-Oyu was first scaled in 1954 by H. Tichy. Much of the credit for his success can go to the early reconnaissance expeditions including Eric Shipton's 1952 journey. Many of the climbers of Shipton's team became members of Hillary and Norgay's expedition which first climbed Mt. Everest. We will follow the Tichy route on this expedition.